After evading authorities for over a decade in South Africa, Richard Ronald Hawksworth faced his sentencing at a UK court more than 13 years after his involvement in a conspiracy to supply class B drugs. The 41-year-old of Longbridge Deverill near Warminster and Frome was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court for his role in the drug operation that took place between October 2011 and January 2012.
Dorset Police meticulously gathered evidence that implicated Hawksworth in the amphetamine supply network within the county. In November 2011, he was apprehended while returning to Dorset from Liverpool with packets of a white powder in his possession, which was later confirmed to be a drug.
Extensive surveillance and investigations by the police led to the observation of suspected drug supply activities in the Corfe Mullen area in January 2012, ultimately resulting in the discovery of a suspected amphetamine stash site in woodland. Upon his arrest, nearly four kilograms of amphetamine, valued at up to £40,000, was seized. However, Hawksworth fled the country in April 2012, escaping to South Africa.
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Following the conviction of Hawksworth’s associates for conspiracy to supply class B drugs in July 2013, a lengthy extradition process ensued. In June 2016, an extradition warrant was issued for Hawksworth, and after several years of hearings in South Africa, he was extradited back to the UK in 2024.
Upon appearing before the court, Hawksworth received a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to perform 300 hours of unpaid work in the community. Additionally, a forfeiture of over £4,000 in cash seized from the defendant was ordered by the judge.
Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) emphasized the commitment of the investigators in ensuring that Hawksworth could not escape justice. He stated, “I hope this sends a message to other offenders that we will not give up and will work tirelessly to ensure criminals face the consequences of their actions.”